Cuban Civil Defense Headquarters (CD-HQ) Cuban experience in disaster risk reduction associated with tropical cyclones

The Civil Defense system of Cuba is composed of all the forces and resources of society and the state, with the function of protecting the people and their property, social infrastructure, economy and natural resources of the events of disasters and climate change consequences. The Civil Defense of Cuba

Achievements of the Revolution that have reduced social vulnerability Universal access to health, education and social securityUniversal access to health, education and social security Policies aimed at reducing social and economic disparities.Policies aimed at reducing social and economic disparities. Investments in infrastructure.Investments in infrastructure. Universalization of culture to increase human knowledge.Universalization of culture to increase human knowledge. Policies aimed at the formation of values ​​ and the promotion of cooperation, solidarity and cohesion.Policies aimed at the formation of values ​​ and the promotion of cooperation, solidarity and cohesion.

FROM 1995 BEGAN ANOTHER GREAT ACTIVITY CYCLE In the last 15 years, Cuba has been affected by 27 tropical cyclones, of which 17 hurricanes, 7 great intensity. More than 11 million people have been protected and it has lamented the death of 56 people and economic losses exceed 20 billion dollars Scenarios of the last decade

More than 3000 dead SANTA CRUZ DEL SUR Category 5 Hurricane November 8, 1932 Category 4 Hurricane Paloma November 8, 2008 There were no deaths CUENCA DEL RÍO CAUTO Category 2 Hurricane Flora October 5-8, 1963 Tropical Storm Noel October 2007 There were no deaths More than thousand dead

Key Organizations Governmental Agencies Monitoring Institutions Equipment risk estimation Local Government Updating the disaster reduction plan Planning of financial and material resources to reduce vulnerabilities Disaster Risk Reduction at the Local Level Procedures for estimating the risk associated with each hazard at the municipality and popular council level Knowledge of risk locally regional and national

Actions strengthening local capacities for risk reduction The CGRR are designed to provide local governments the estimation and monitoring of risk associated with events that threaten the territory, by controlling the actions to reduce vulnerability and level of exposure of people and economic resources, which is the basis for process planning disaster risk reduction related to sustainable development of the municipality.

BASIC EQUIPMENT 2-3 computers with printer and modem each. No less than 2 phone numbers. Portable Power Generator 2.3 kW. TV and DVD. Portable Radios Rechargeable lamp. Digital Camera. Lanterns. Acrylic Slate Layers module, Boots and Safety Helmets. Furniture.

Distribución de centros de gestión para la reducción del riesgo

Distribution management centers for risk reduction Government agencies (housing, electricity, health, physical planning) Non-State Sector Monitoring Institutions Entities with hazardous substances Environmental Studies Center Vulnerability reduction actions (status of the territory, state housing fund, sources of water supply and quality, drainage, electricity and communications) Risk associated with major events (rain, situation of reservoirs and aquifers, disposal of solid and liquid waste, development of drought, forest fires, earthquakes, movement of hazardous substances). Environmental studies and actions to protect fragile ecosystems.

Other prevention measures Planning of financial and material resources for DRR CC adaptation measures Reconciliation of investments with the Civil Defense

Experiences of preparations Annual update of disaster reduction plans. Early warning systems at national and local levels Planning response and recovery measures for extreme situations modeling from the level of risk. Using all territorials communications systems according to the direction and information to the public. Role of disclosure and information organization. Optimum use of the resources obtained from cooperation.

A system of differential and systematical preparation

Cuba is a member of the Iberoamerican Association of Defense and Protection Civil of Governmental Organizations and Disaster Special Committee of the Association of Caribbean States and to share experiences with countries in the region as part of South-South cooperation Cuba Integration

Key aspects for disaster risk reduction associated with tropical cyclones To know the risk associated with the three destructive effects of tropical cyclones at local level. Properly manage the reduction of vulnerabilities prioritized using available resources optimally. To organize the response and recovery based on the level of risk. Properly prepare the authorities and persons.

Monument to the Cuban people for commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Defense System